Swale District Partnership Group Annual Report 2014-15 Annual … final... · 2015. 6. 22. · Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2014 -15 8 April 2014 Support people

Swale District Partnership Group Annual Report 2014-15 Annual Report 2013-14

1 Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2014-15

April 2014

Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................. 3

Summary ....................................................................................................... 4

Topic : Health ................................................................................................ 6

� To find out what people with Learning Disabilities know about

National Screening Services and their experience of using

screening services ................................................................................... 7

� Support people with learning disabilities to have a voice with

local Health Service Providers ............................................................... 8

� Health- encourage people with learning disabilities to look after

their health and understand how to keep healthy ........................... 10

Topic : Employment ................................................................................... 12

� Build an employment support service that meets the needs of

people with learning disabilities ......................................................... 12

� Continue to promote volunteering opportunities and training

to prepare people for employment .................................................... 14

Topic : Housing ........................................................................................... 16

� Identify how many older family carers have made provision for

future housing needs of those they care for. .................................... 16

� Find out whether people are able to secure housing through the

bidding process and their experiences of finding housing through

a private landlord .................................................................................. 17

Topic : Personalisation ............................................................................... 19

� Support people to understand how to use Direct Payments .......... 19

Topic : Keeping Safe ................................................................................... 21


April 2014

� Assist KCC in the revision of the Moving On Travel Pack .................. 21

� Help people to feel safe in their community ..................................... 22

Topic: Citizenship........................................................................................ 24

� To find out if people are able to access Arts and Culture

opportunities in Kent. ........................................................................... 24

� Continue to increase understanding of Voting and promote the

importance of people using their right to Vote. ................................ 26

� Encourage people to get involved in their Community Radio

Station .................................................................................................... 27

Who we have worked with over the past year ....................................... 29


April 2014

Introduction

East Kent Mencap supports the District Partnership

Groups in

� Ashford � Canterbury � Dover � Shepway � Swale � Thanet

It is part of the Kent Valuing People Partnership, a

group of organisations who support Kent County

Council to make Valuing People happen.

Each District Partnership has a District Valuing People

Worker who works with people to make the District

Annual Plan happen. Caz White is the District Valuing

People Worker for Swale.

District Partnership Groups look at the 6 main things

within Valuing People Now:

� Health

� Employment (jobs and getting ready for work)

� Where people live / housing

� Being in control of your life (Personalisation)

� Citizenship

� Young people becoming adults (Transition)


April 2014

Summary

The District Partnership Group (DPG) has been talking to lots of people to find out what is working well for people with a learning disability and their families and what is not working very well. This information has been used to decide on the projects for the District Plan.

This year DPGs have also worked together across Kent on a number of Kent-wide projects.

The District Partnership Group has met 4 times this

year. In-between these meetings a Planning and

Checking Group has been working with people with

learning disabilities, family carers, support providers,

community groups and public services on the District

Plan projects.

Members of the DPG have also been supported to be

part of the Kent County Council Valuing People

structure including Delivery Groups that work on

projects for the whole of Kent.

Kent Delivery Groups are open to everyone. Please

contact your DPG District Valuing People Worker if you

would like more information on these and how to

become involved.

The DPG has been working with health services to

make sure people have good information about

staying healthy and can use health services easily.

DPG Members have provided feedback to the Kent

Good Health Group on access to National cancer

screening programmes.


April 2014

The DPG has continued to support people to help Kent

Community Health Trust provide easy read

information.

The District Partnership Group continues to represent

the DPG at public engagement meetings with Health

Service Providers.

The DPG continues to promote employment and

volunteering for people with learning disabilities.

DPGs across Kent are working with Job Centre Plus

and the Department of Work and Pensions to provide

services that meet people’s needs.

Information about changes to benefits is also made

available through DPGs.

Information and support to find housing continues to

be improved. People have also been encouraged to

think about their future and where they might want

to live.

Following last year’s event for family carers, DPGs

across Kent will be holding open sessions for carers

about planning for the future.

We have continued to support members of the DPG to

think about personalisation and the choices they

make about their lives.

There have been some changes made to how direct

payments are agreed. The DPG worked with Direct

Payment Co-ordinators to make sure these changes

were explained to people.


April 2014

DPG members have been speaking up as citizens and

continue to tell Kent Police about things that make

them feel unsafe in the community.

The DPG is also a member of the Police Independent

Advisory Group.

The DPG represents people’s views at the Kent

Keeping Safe Delivery Group.

The DPG was awarded some funding from KCC

Community Members Grant to help people prepare for

the General Election. Over 50 people attended Voting

Workshops to learn more about voting. The Electoral

Services Officer also came to a DPG meeting to tell

people about the need to register to vote.

The DPG has continued to share information with

local special schools supporting young people during

transition.

Across Kent the DPGs tried to collect information on

what young people thought about their transition

reviews through an on-line survey. We had very

limited feedback to the survey and this was reported

to the Kent Becoming an Adult Group. The Becoming

an Adult Group are now working on this to find a

better way to gather the information.

East Kent Mencap are planning transition events at

Special Schools from October 2015.

Swale DPG will set the 2015 to 2016 District Plan by

July 2015.


April 2014

Topic : Health

To find out what people with Learning Disabilities know about National Screening Services and their experience of using screening services

Why we did this work

The National Screening Services check for cancers at

certain times by carrying out checks on Bowels,

Breasts and the Cervical screen/Smear Test. The Good

Health Group wanted to find out if people were being

invited to use these services. They also wanted to

know if the experiences were good

What we did

We asked 20 people in each district across Kent to

complete a survey to find out if people with learning

disabilities are using Screening Services in Kent.

A report of the survey findings was shared with the Kent Good Health Group and Public Health Kent.

The information was also used in the Joint Health and

Social Care Self Assessment Framework report to

show what has been done in Kent to understand how

people with learning disabilities access National

Screening Services.

What has changed as a result of this work

Public Health Kent will be running a Campaign to raise

awareness of cancer screening. Public Health Kent

agreed to include the findings and recommendations

of our survey report in their campaign.


April 2014

Support people with learning disabilities to

have a voice with local Health Service

Providers


To make sure that Health Service Providers think

about the needs of people with learning disabilities

when they plan and review health services in Swale.

What we did

The DPG has worked with Kent Community Health

Trust Public and Patient Engagement Manager to

make sure people understand how they can be

involved with the Patient Engagement Network.

DPG members have continued to work with the Kent

Community Health Trust Patient Information Group to

produce easy read information for patients.

The Group helped with the Health App which they

tested and gave recommendations to make it easier

to use before it was launched.

The Group also helped choose the pictures and words

for the Easy Read Quit Smoking booklet.

The District Valuing People Worker is a member of

Swale Clinical Commissioning Group’s Health Network.

The Network ensures people have up to date

information and access to services they need by

sharing information. The DPG recently helped the

Swale Health Network publicise and explain the new

out of hours GP service for Sittingbourne and

Sheerness to DPG members.


April 2014

We are able to share information with the Voluntary

and Community Services Think Tank through East

Kent Mencap.

What has happened as a result of this work

The needs of people with learning disabilities continue

to be highlighted in the planning of health services.

4 DPG members have been supported to be part of

Kent Community Health Trust Patient Experience

Network.

Awareness of the needs of people with learning

disabilities accessing health services is raised with the

Clinical Commissioning Group.

The need for easy read information has been

recognised by Kent Community Health Trust who now

produce their regular Your Health magazine in easy

read format.

More easy read information is available for people

about health services, treatment and conditions.

People are kept up to date with information about

local health services arranged by the Clinical

Commissioning Group.


April 2014

Health- encourage people with learning

disabilities to look after their health and

understand how to keep healthy


Many people with learning disabilities have more

than one medical condition. The DPG wanted to

encourage people with learning disabilities to try and

keep themselves healthy.

People told us they wanted to be healthy but needed

some help doing it. People also told us they didn’t

want to keep going to the Doctors.

People also wanted information on how to look after

their Mental Health.

What we did

We worked with Sheppey Matters, Together YourWay

and Skillnet Group to promote the Health and

Wellbeing Cafes (Mental Health Drop-In ) in

Sheerness and Sittingbourne.

We held local workshops and a DPG health event

giving information on how people can help

themselves stay healthy. Accessible activities

provided information on healthy eating, sugar

content, digestion, personal hygiene and oral health.

We worked with the learning disability nurses, a

mental health social worker, care providers to show

people how they might recognise if a medical

condition was getting worse.


April 2014

The DPG has also been working with Sheppey Leisure

and Swallows to encourage people to access sports

and exercise by raising awareness of the free and

discounted sessions available.

The DPG has also been working with the Health

Trainers to encourage people to go to Move and

Groove.


People have more information about how to stay

healthy and who to go to if they need help staying

healthy.

They understand the labelling on food better and

can make more informed choices.

Carers and people with learning disabilities fee l

more comfortable talking about their mental health

and are more likely to ask for help if they need it.

On average 8-10 people with a learning disability are

attending Move and Groove each week and Health

Trainers are receiving individual referrals.


April 2014

Topic : Employment

Build an employment support service that

meets the needs of people with learning

disabilities


Lots of people at the DPGs told us that they didn’t like going to the Job Centre because of the security. Job Centre Plus wanted people to know what help they can get at the Job Centre and how their service has changed. What we did Together with Job Centre Plus we held a focus group for people with a learning disability to tell the Job Centre about their experiences and views. 12 people attended the Focus Group held at Maidstone Job Centre. Information gathered at this Focus Group will be used to plan how Job Centre Plus can meet the needs of people with a learning disability better. What has changed as a result of this work

The DPGs are working with Job Centre Plus to provide information on the introduction of Universal Credit as it happens in Kent.


April 2014

Two people who attended the Focus Group will be doing 6 weeks work experience at their local Job Centres. Information about the opportunity for work experience has been shared with DPGs. Further work with Job Centre Plus will be happening in 2015 to improve the experiences of people with learning disabilities at Job Centre Plus.


April 2014

Continue to promote volunteering

opportunities and training to prepare people

for employment


Many people with learning disabilities want to work

but feel that because of their disability and lack of

skills and experience they wouldn’t be able to get a

job.

People said they saw volunteering as a way of giving

back to the community, making friends and contacts

and feeling valued in their community.

What we did

Work with the Swale CVS, Skillnet Group, Age UK,

Seashells Children’s Centre and other organisations

and charities to help people Volunteer in their

community

Work with Swale Borough Council to promote

volunteering including the Swale volunteer

recognition awards.

Encourage people to access training and increase

their skills with charities/organisations such as Hope

Street Centre, Amicus Horizon, Sheppey Matters and

the Skillnet Group


April 2014


More people with learning disabilities feel confident

enough to volunteer.

Employers, charities and organisations are more

understanding about the support people with

learning disabilities may need to volunteer.

People with learning disabilities have gained

computer/internet skills as well as work experience

to include on their CVs.

7 members from Swale DPG with a learning disability

are volunteering in the community.


April 2014

Topic : Housing

Identify how many older family carers have

made provision for future housing needs of

those they care for.


Family Carers told us that they find it hard to think

about the future and make plans for their sons and

daughters.

Carers told us that they often put this off because

they didn’t know where to start.

What we did

The DPGs is planning to invite older parent carers in the District to share their concerns about future housing needs/provision for the person they care for. By holding open “Afternoon Tea” sessions the DPG will gather views from older parent carers on - Housing needs and aspirations - Whether they have the information they need to make decisions. - If people know where to seek assistance to make provision for future needs. - Whether people have experienced any barriers preventing them planning for the future. The sessions will be held during Spring 2015. East Kent Mencap has used social media to publicise free Wills and Trusts events happening in Kent.


April 2014

Find out whether people are able to secure

housing through the bidding process and

their experiences of finding housing through

a private landlord Why we did this work Many people with learning disabilities and their support workers had difficulty understanding the process.

Many people with a learning disability felt they wouldn’t be able to rent through a private landlord. What we did Make sure people are aware of easy read

information and support available on Kent

Homechoice.

We found out what are the private housing choices

for people with learning disabilities in Swale by

speaking to people who were bidding or looking for

somewhere to live.

We found out what support there was for people

moving home by speaking to people who were

moving or thinking of moving home.

We found many private landlords were unwilling to

take people with a learning disability on as they

couldn’t provide a reference or deposit and they did

not have a job.


April 2014

The process was still very confusing and no-one was

able to do the bidding without support.

Due to the bedroom tax rules there is a shortage of

one bedroom properties in Swale which is the most

needed accommodation for people with a learning

disability.

What has happened as a result of this work We have been speaking to the former Swale Housing Focus Group members and we are trying to arrange another focus group to look at these issues. Our findings have been shared with the Where I Live Delivery Group.


April 2014

Topic : Personalisation

Support people to understand how to use

Direct Payments


KCC asked the DPGs to help let people know about

the changes being made in how Direct Payments are

agreed.

People told us they were not confident about using

Direct Payments.

What we did

The Direct Payments Team presented at a DPG

meeting to tell people about Direct Payments.

Information was given on who can have a Direct

Payment, what they can be used for and how to

apply for Direct Payments.

Easy Read information on Direct Payments was

shared with members of the DPG and on the Kent

Partnership Board website.


People with learning disabilities and their families

were able to ask questions on anything they were

uncertain about.


April 2014

People have a better understanding about Direct

Payments and how to use them.

Easy Read information has been made widely

available.

People know who the local Direct Payment

Co-ordinators are for their area.


April 2014

Topic : Keeping Safe (Kent wide target)

Assist KCC in the revision of the Moving On

Travel Pack


The Moving On Toolkit previously published by KCC to

help people travel independently was out of date

and needed reviewing.

What we did

We held focus groups in Canterbury and Darford to

support people to review the ‘Moving On’ Travel

packs.

People identified changes that they thought needed

to be made and suggested new things to add as

many things had changed since it was first put

together.


The suggestions for changes were reported back to

KCC.

KCC will liaise with the Keeping Safe Group on how to

proceed.


April 2014

Help people to feel safe in their community


Many people with learning disabilities said they did

not feel safe when they were out in the community.

They felt scared of people bullying them and of

traffic when crossing roads.

They also said they did not think that the police

understood their communication difficulties and did

not take them seriously.

What we did

The DPG worked with Kent Police, the Community

Warden, Skillnet Group Schools Project, The

Community Safety Team and Kent Fire and Rescue to

help tackle bullying in Swale and raise awareness of

how to be safe.

We shared information on how to keep safe and held

a community safety DPG.

An anti-bullying / Self-defence workshop is being

planned with assistance from Kent Police. It will

show people how to keep themselves safe and what

to do if they feel in danger.


April 2014


The police and other agencies are more

understanding about the difficulties people with a

learning disability have when trying to communicate

to them.

People are more confident about reporting a crime

and think that they will be taken seriously.

People with a learning disability have been given the

opportunity to ask questions of the police and talk

about their experiences.

People with learning disabilities have learnt ways to

stay safe when they are out.


April 2014

Topic: Citizenship (Kent wide target)

To find out if people are able to access Arts

and Culture opportunities in Kent.


To find out if people are accessing local art and

culture opportunities.

To provide information and evidence for the “Access

to Arts and Culture” section in the Joint Health and

Social Care Self Assessment Framework.

What we did

The DPG has put together a checklist and a list of venues to visit in the area. During Spring 2015 the DPG District Valuing People Worker will support small groups of people to visit the venues. The DPG will share the results of its visit with the respective venues to help them think about adjustments that may improve access or the experience for people with learning disabilities. All venues will also be promoted to people through the District Partnership Group networks to encourage people to make use of their local community venues.

We will also promote any cinema’s that offer autism friendly film viewings.


April 2014

Swale DPG linked up with two local Arts projects: Sheppey YAF (Youth Arts Festival)

10 people with a learning disability took part in the

YAF. Their ideas and Art were welcomed and they

felt fully included and valued


April 2014

Continue to increase understanding of

Voting and promote the importance of

people using their right to Vote.


To support people to understand why using your

right to Vote is important.

To support people to register to vote.

What we did

The District Valuing People Worker held a number of ‘Voting Workshops’ for people with learning disabilities. The workshops were run in an interactive way to help explain about voting, how to vote and registering to vote. Through the DPG Facebook page, Twitter and we gave out regular reminders about the General Election and the need to Register in order to vote. What has changed as a result of this work

Over 50 people attended the workshops. These

people now have a better understanding about their

right to vote, what “voting” means and what to think

about when deciding who to vote for.

DPG Members and local care providers received

regular updates and reminders about Election news

via the Facebook, Twitter and Kent Partnership Board

website.


April 2014

Encourage people to get involved in their

Community Radio Station.


We wanted to use the contacts that Sheppey FM had

to try and reach more people in a different way.

What we did

The Valuing People worker worked with Sheppey FM,

a local internet radio station, to receive free training

to be a radio DJ.

We held 6 shows and did a radio interview about the

Voting project and local DPG events.

The DPG planned to have a monthly radio show.

However Sheppey FM were in need of a weekly show

which the DPG did not have resources to commit to.

The time slot that was available did not suit either

parties.

We have agreed to put the project on hold until we

can get a team of volunteers and come up with a

suitable time slot/show. Sheppey FM are also

currently looking to get an FM licence which would

be able to reach more people.


April 2014


We have made lots of contacts and increased

awareness of Swale DPG’s work and projects.

We have used the opportunity to publicise our

events.


April 2014

The Crawford Centre

Sheerness Healthy

Living Centre

Who we have worked with over the past year

Swale Community

Empowering Network

Documents

Swale District Partnership Group Annual Report 2014-15 Annual … final... · 2015. 6. 22. · Swale District Partnership Group – Annual Report 2014 -15 8 April 2014 Support people